Divot practice mat

ABSTRACT

A golf or divot practice mat, comprising a base element and a mark retaining layer removeably secured or mounted to a base element. The mark retaining layer may be a no carbon required paper, carbon paper, or wax containing surface, and has one or more simulated golf balls imprinted thereon. A mark is left on the mark retaining layer which instantly records the contact area of the golf club with the practice mat.  
     A method for the practice of a golf swing, including attaching a mark retaining layer to a base element, and swinging a golf club using the mark retaining surface as a simulated golf course surface.  
     A mark retaining layer for the recording of the contact area of a golf club swing with the mark retaining layer. The mark retaining layer may have one or many golf ball likenesses printed thereon.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation in part of application Ser.No. 10/039,326.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a golf practice mat for the practiceand refinement of the golf swing, and more particularly to a golf anddivot practice mat with a mark retaining layer having one or more imagesof a golf ball printed or otherwise illustrated thereon, and method forusing same.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Heretofore a wide variety of golf and golf related practicedevices have been proposed and developed for improving golf skills.Prior devices have attempted to provide such practice tools in varietyof different manners. A significant limitation of all prior deviceshowever, is that such devices are often cumbersome, expensive,unreliable, and not particularly convenient for improving golf skills.Prior art devices that recorded the contact area of the golf club to thegolf ball do not give the same type of information about the swing asone can have with a record of the contact area of the golf club to theground. A record of how club contacted the ground, represented as thepath that the club made across the ground as it was in contact with it,gives the observer the distinct advantage of acquiring additionalinformation with regard to the swing, as discussed below. By recordingthe contact area of the club on the ground (as represented by thepractice mat) as the club is swung through, a “dynamic” record of thecontact is made. As the club is moved through the swing, and across theground (mat), the amount of the club bottom in contact with the groundmay change. This temporal aspect of the record can be observed with thepresent invention. This record is akin to the divot that a golfer mayleave on the grass surface of the golf course on which actual swings aretaken. A record merely of where the ground struck the club, in terms ofa record on the club head, by contrast, gives limited information. Arecord of how the ball contacted the club face represents a differenttype of information. In addition, devices that record the contact areaof the golf ball to the golf club carry the distinct disadvantage ofrequiring modification to the golf club.

[0006] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,660,436 to Grossman discloses adevice wherein a laminated layer is secured to the face of the golfclub. When a mark is left upon this device, it is not readily observed,but instead one must look closely at the face of the club. In addition,only one swing can be taken per device, or else one no longer knowswhich swing had caused which contact mark. Thus, a change to theequipment must be made between each swing. In addition, the devicerequires that an actual golf ball be struck. This is a limitation onwhere and how the device can be used.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,530 to Butler discloses an invention torecord the “toe up” or “toe down” attitude of a golf club as it is swungthrough past the ground. This device once again carries the limitationthat the recording is done on the club, requiring modification of theclub to be swung. Also, only one swing can be made before a disruptionto the practice round must be made to replace the device on the club.Also, although this device does give some information about the way inwhich the club and the ground have come into contact with each other,the information is limited in that no “dynamic” record is made.

[0008] What is called for is a device that allows for the dynamicrecording of the contact area of the golf swing to the ground. Ideally,the device would allow for multiple swings, and make multiple records,before any modification be needed to the device. In addition, the deviceshould be able to record such detailed information in a way that allowsfor easy storage of the information at relatively low cost.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a golf or divot practice mat thatis convenient to use, reliable, inexpensive to manufacture, and may beused either inside or outside. The divot mat of the present invention iseasy to use, and provides instant and reliable feedback about a user'sgolf swing by leaving a mark around and near a simulated golf ballimprinted on a paper or other impressionable surface. This visible markgives immediate information to the user as to the quality andcharacteristic of the swing, and guides the user to improve the golfswing.

[0010] Although various types of golf practice devices are known in theprior art, none are directed to a mat having a surface with simulatedprinted golf balls which are marked by the swing of a golf club by theuser, thereby indicating instantly and recording permanentlycharacteristics of the swing. There is a need for a device which canrecord the contact of the golf club with the ground (or ground assimulated by the mat).

[0011] The present invention provides for the practice of a golf swingand the recording of the contact area of the club to the apparatus. Thiscontact area is recorded as a retained mark. The mark is similar to thedivot one would see on the ground after swinging the club on turf.Review of the mark, which represents a divot, allows for analysis of theswing which made the mark. A trained eye may make such an analysis, or aguide may be used to help the layman with such an analysis.

[0012] The present invention allows the contact area to be recorded onan easily removable and replaceable layer such as a piece of no carbonrequired paper. One can also remove the paper and save the paper inorder to create a history of one's swing at any point in time. Therecords are lightweight and relatively inexpensive. In addition, whenmultiple balls are printed on such a piece of paper, the golfer maypractice his swing many times before needing to remove and replace thepaper, while still having separate records of individual swings.

[0013] By using printed likenesses of golf balls on the recording layer,the golfer gains the experience of looking at a golf ball during swingpractice. In addition, by utilizing a likeness of a golf ball, thegolfer may also learn to focus on the ball and keep his or her head downwhile practicing the swing. This is an important aspect of a golf swing.

[0014] The ease in which the record of the contact areas can be removedand replaced from the apparatus allows for a continuous practice sessionwithout long interruptions.

[0015] The present invention provides a golf or divot practice mat whichis highly efficient at training a user to be a better golfer. The golfor divot practice mat of the present invention may used successfully bybeginning golfers, intermediate level golfers, or expert golfers at manylocations, either inside or outside, without the need or any otherequipment or accessories other than a golf club.

[0016] Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a divotor golf practice mat with an impressionable surface having one or moreimprinted simulated golf balls thereon. The impressionable surface ispreferably composed of a no carbon required (NCR) type paper, but mayalternatively be composed of or contain a wax, a carbon paper, or thelike. The invention allows for the recording of the contact area betweena golf club and the recording surface, which simulates the ground. Theinvention also allows for multiple swings to be recorded without thegolfer having to do more than to slightly relocate his or her stance.When the recording sheet has been used up, the recording sheet is easilyremoved and replaced. The sheet then becomes a permanent record of thecontacts between the golf club and the apparatus (which simulates thegolf course).

[0017] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be setforth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

[0018] The present invention is a golf or divot practice mat, comprisinga base element and a mark retaining layer removeably secured or mountedto a base element. The mark retaining layer may be a no carbon requiredpaper, carbon paper, or wax containing surface, and has one or moresimulated golf balls imprinted thereon. The mark retaining layer may besecured to the base element by dowels, adhesives, hook and loopfastening material, or other fastening mechanism. A mark is left on themark retaining layer which instantly records the contact area of thegolf club with the practice mat. Analysis of the mark allows forcharacterization of a golf swing's position and angle of contact withthe simulated golf ball. The practice mat may be conveniently usedanywhere, indoors or outdoors.

[0019] A method for the practice of a golf swing, including attaching amark retaining layer to a base element, and swinging a golf club usingthe mark retaining surface as a simulated golf course surface.

[0020] A mark retaining layer for the recording of the contact area of agolf club swing with the mark retaining layer. The mark retaining layermay have one or many golf ball likenesses printed thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with a general description given above and thedetailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explainthe principles of the invention.

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf or divot practice mat usingdowels to secure the mark retaining layer to the base element, accordingto the invention.

[0023]FIG. 2 shows a mark retaining means with a plurality of simulatedgolf balls imprinted thereon, according to the invention.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a golf or divot practice mat usingadhesives to secure the mark retaining layer to the base element,according to the invention.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a golf or divot practice mat usinghook and loop fastening elements to secure the mark retaining layer tothe base element, according to the invention.

[0026]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a golf or divot practice mat usingadhesives to removeably attach the mark retaining layer to the baseelement.

[0027]FIG. 6 is a side view of the golf or practice mat illustrating asimulation of a golf club swing as the golf club is contacting the markretaining layer.

[0028]FIG. 7 is a top view of a mark retaining layer illustrating thetemporal aspect of the information contained in the mark.

[0029]FIG. 8 is a top view of a mark retaining layer illustratingdifferent types of marks and examples of what these marks indicate aboutthe golf swing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of theinvention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0031] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided agolf or divot practice mat, comprising a base element and a markretaining surface removeably secured or mounted to the base element. Insome embodiments, the mark retaining layer may be a no carbon requiredpaper, and have one or more simulated golf balls imprinted thereon. Insome embodiments, the mark retaining layer may be secured to the baseelement by dowels, adhesives, hook and loop fastening material, or otherfastening mechanism. A mark is left on the mark retaining layer whichinstantly records and characteristics a golf swing, position, and angleof contact with the simulated golf ball. This allows the user to be madeaware of the quality and characteristics of a swing and be trainedaccordingly. The practice mat may be safely and conveniently usedanywhere, indoors or outdoors.

[0032] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the golf or divotpractice mat 10 has a base element 12 and a mark retaining layer 20. Thebase element 12 has a rigid or semi-rigid base layer 18. This base layer18 can be made of polycarbonate plastic. An example of an appropriateplastic is a {fraction (3/32)} inch thick polycarbonate plasticmanufactured by Sheffield Plastics, Inc., under the trade name Makrolon.Other similar and suitable materials may be used.

[0033] A surface gripping layer 14 may be added in some embodiments. Forexample, gripping layer 14 may be a rubber mat for preventing slippingor skidding of the mat 10 on a surface. In some embodiments the surfacegripping layer 14 is composed of polyurethane rubber, but other durableresilient materials may also by used such as soft plastics, cloth,composites or the like. In some embodiments, surface gripping layer 14is secured to base layer 18 by adhesive layer 16, which can be adhesivesor adhesive tape or a combination of adhesives and other layers. In someembodiments fasteners such as rivets, screws, dowels, or the like areused.

[0034] A sheet of durable rigid material can be used for base layer 18,such as polycarbonate plastic. Such a layer provides a firm supportmeans. However, other durable, resilient yet rigid materials may also beused, such as composites, rubber, plastics, wood, metal, or the like.Preferably base layer 18 is of a substantially planar configuration, butmay be otherwise. For example, it is possible to provide golf and divotpractice mat 10 in a non-planar configuration, such as a curved,concave, or convex configuration.

[0035] A mark retaining layer 20 is used for recording an impressionresulting from contact with a golf club head. In some embodiments, themark retaining layer 20 is an impression retaining paper such as nocarbon required paper (NCR). An example of such a product is a selfcontained carbonless paper manufactured by Appleton Corp., of Appleton,Wisc. In some embodiments, wax, carbon paper or the like may be used. Insome embodiments the surface of mark retaining layer 20 is printed orotherwise impressed with images 22 of one or more golf balls.

[0036] In some embodiments, the mark retaining layer may be removeablysecured to base element 12 using dowels 24. Further fastening may beaccomplished using a fastening flap 26, with apertures 25, that fitsover dowels 24. Fastening flap 26 may be made of a sheet of durable,rigid, yet resilient material. In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 1, afastening flap 26 of clipboard, composite, plastic, wood, metal, orother durable material may be drilled and used to match dowels 25, andprevent paper 20, from sliding out.

[0037] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, a mark retaining layer20 is shown with a plurality of simulated golf ball images 22 printedthereon. In some embodiments, mark retaining layer 20 is a sheet of nocarbon required paper. Alternatively, a carbon paper, a wax impregnatedsurface, or the like may be substituted for NCR paper. Also, if desired,the mark retaining surface may show only one golf ball, or more thanone. A mark 35 is immediately made on mark retaining surface by contactwith the head or other part of a golf club, and provides immediateinsight to the user as to the angle, quality, and characteristic of theswing of the golf club.

[0038] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, mark retaining layer 20is removeably fastened to base element 12 with an adhesive layer 28. Theadhesive layer 28 secures the mark retaining layer 20 to base element 12such that the horizontal force exerted onto the paper, which may tend toslide the paper along the top surface of base layer 12, is resisted.Adhesive layer 28 is of a type that allows for easy removal andreplacement of mark retaining layer 20 as needed.

[0039] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, hook and loop fasteningelements 30 are used to secure the mark retaining layer 20 to baseelement 12.

[0040] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, mark retaining layer 20is removeably secured to base element 12 by adhesive layer 28. In someembodiments, adhesive layer 28 is made up of a first adhesive interlayer51, a center layer 52, and a second adhesive interlayer 53. Adhesivelayer 28 may be made from a paper with adhesive on it, such as StarlinerPressure Sensitive—white cut; manufactured by MacTac. In such anembodiment, this product would provide paper layer 52 and secondadhesive interlayer 53. A second adhesive may then be applied on the topsurface 54 of center layer 52 to create first adhesive interlayer 51using methods known to those of skill in the art. An adhesive such asGelTac 101 Adhesive by Advanced Polymers Intl. may be used. In someembodiments, the adhesive layer 28 will be of sufficient strength toprevent the slippage of mark retaining layer 20 relative to base element12 when mark retaining layer 20 is struck by a golf club during apractice session using practice mat 10. Also, mark retaining layer 20may be easily removed and replaced without the tearing or damaging ofmark retaining layer 20. After quite a few mark retaining layer 20replacements, adhesive layer 28 may need to be replaced.

[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 6, practice mat 10 is struck by golf club60 as it is swung through arc 61. Golf club shaft 62 propels golf clubhead 63 through arc 61. Golf club head 63 is in contact with the topsurface 64 of mark retaining layer 20 at point or area 65. Base elementis of sufficient hardness and rigidity as a backing plate that theimpact of club head 63 is able to mark the mark retaining surface 20.

[0042]FIG. 7 illustrates the temporal aspect of the mark that isretained on mark retaining layer 20. In some embodiments, golf ballimage 22 is on mark retaining layer 20. The strike of a golf club hasleft mark 70 on mark retaining surface 20. Arrow 71 shows the directionof the club during the swing. Portion 70 a of mark 70 was recordedearlier in time that portion 70 b. Thus, the mark retaining layer hasrecorded not just the overall contact area of the club to the ground butrecorded the contact area 70 in a time dependent fashion.

[0043]FIG. 8 is used for illustrative purposes only to show howdifferent practice swings may leave different types of marks 81, 82, 83and examples of analysis comments 84, 85, 86 that may by used. Thesample comments are not meant to be an authoritative analysis of thesemarks in this example.

[0044] In operation and use golf or divot practice mat 10 is easy touse, convenient, and very efficient for improving a users golf swing.Golf and divot practice mat 10 may be used indoors or outdoors, and is avery cost effective practice means. To use golf and divot practice mat10, the user simply places the mat on a suitable surface, such as afloor, a deck, a lawn, of the like, and commences practice. The usedsheets of NCR paper or other mark retaining surface may be kept as arecord and compared with later sheets to note improvement.

[0045] As evident from the above description, a wide variety of mats maybe configured from the description given herein and additionaladvantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in theart. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited tothe specific details, representative apparatus and illustrative examplesshown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may bemade without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant'sgeneral inventive concept.

I claim:
 1. A golf practice apparatus, comprising: a base element; and amark retaining layer removeably attached to said base element.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said base element comprises a rigidelement.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said base element furthercomprises a surface gripping layer attached to and underlying said rigidelement
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adhesivelayer at least partially interlayed between said mark retaining layerand said base element.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said rigidelement is a sheet of polycarbonate plastic.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3wherein said surface gripping layer is a rubber mat.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said mark retaining layer comprises a sheet of no carbonrequired paper.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said sheet of nocarbon required paper comprises a pattern of golf balls printed thereon.9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mark retaining layer comprises:a layer of scratch off ink; and a layer of paper.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 4 wherein said adhesive layer comprises: a first adhesiveinterlayer; a middle layer; and a second adhesive interlayer.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 3 wherein said adhesive layer is double sided tape.12. A method for practicing a golf swing, said method comprising:adhering a first recording layer over a base layer; and swinging a golfclub utilizing said first recording layer and said base layer as aground simulator, wherein said first recording layer records the contactof the golf club to the recording layer.
 13. The method of claim 10further comprising removing said first recording layer and replacing itwith a second recording layer
 14. A mark retaining layer comprising: arecording layer; and an image layer.
 15. The mark retaining layer ofclaim 15 wherein said recording layer is a layer of no carbon requiredpaper.
 16. The mark retaining layer of claim 16 wherein said image layercomprises images of golf balls.
 17. The mark retaining layer of claim 15wherein said recording layer comprises: a layer of paper; and a layer ofdry ink.